Scouting

This past week I got to go on a big backpacking trip with the scouts in my ward, being an advisor for them and all. We went up to Garfield Basin, which is north of Duchesne in the Uintah area. We ended up hiking 10 miles on the first day to get to the lake we were planning on camping by for a few days. Up and down, up and down. Over tons of rocks, carrying a 40 pound pack on my back. That sucked. I led the boys as we went along and I guess I was going pretty fast. By the time we got done (7 hours of hiking) my legs were killing me so I set up my tent and went to bed as soon as I ate something.

At one point we had to cross a wide stream, but nobody could find a way across so I just walked through it. I knew we were close to the end of our hike so I just didn't care. Man that water felt good. One of the boys followed me and we ended up carrying a bunch of the other packs over so people could find a way across without getting wet. It was funny watching them all try to jump across. One boy was freaking out so I crossed back over and gave him a piggyback ride across. Good thing these kids are still small!

Towards the end of the hike up I got a nasty blister on my heel. Which meant it was going to be a fun hike back out for me. It was a fun trip, and pretty relaxing. I have to say it was great being away from life around the city. Only thing missing was my wife and our puppies. And my bed. Turned out it was a good thing I've been using that treadmill for the past month or two because without that I know I wouldn't have made the whole 20 miles! I did manage to make it back though, with 26 bug bites that are still itching and a soft beard. :)

So here are some pictures of me and my pack, and my blister. And a cute one of Moose snuggled up in our blankets. I'm waiting for some pictures from the trip because I didn't take my own camera, so this is all you get for now. I threw a pic of my cute wife in there for good measure too. Hope everyone is well!